The controversy surrounding Miss Universe Fiji escalated after the winner, Manshika Prasad, was stripped of her crown and runner-up Nadine Roberts was named the winner. The decision was made based on a claim that proper procedures were not followed during the judging process, as the pageant’s licensee, Lux Projects, had a vote that was not counted. Lux Projects is linked to Australian businessman Jamie McIntyre, who is married to Roberts. McIntyre has denied any involvement in the judging controversy, but did admit to providing advice to Lux Projects during the pageant.
Several judges from the pageant spoke out against the decision, stating that they were not aware of Lux Projects being entitled to a vote. Judge Jennifer Chan expressed confidence in Prasad as the rightful winner and criticized Roberts for her sense of entitlement. Despite the backlash, Roberts thanked Miss Universe Fiji for taking swift action and Prasad released a statement hinting at undisclosed information. However, in a surprising turn of events, Prasad was re-crowned the winner just a few days later. The reasons for this decision remain unclear.
The fallout from the controversy has been evident on social media, with Roberts receiving backlash from followers who accuse her of trying to buy her way to victory through her husband’s connections. Despite still claiming to be the actual winner on her Instagram, Roberts has faced harsh criticism from followers. The situation has sparked interest in a potential Netflix documentary, with many commenters expressing anticipation for an expose on the scandal.
The controversy surrounding Miss Universe Fiji has shed light on the inner workings of beauty pageants and the potential for corruption within the industry. The involvement of Lux Projects and its ties to Roberts through her husband have raised questions about the fairness of the judging process. While Prasad has been reinstated as the winner, the damage to the reputation of the pageant and those involved may be long-lasting. The scandal serves as a cautionary tale for future pageants and highlights the importance of transparency and integrity in such competitions. The fallout from this incident serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of taking shortcuts or engaging in unethical practices in the pursuit of beauty pageant success.
